Tanzanian striker Ally Samatta and head coach Didier Digard prepared Le Havre AC’s trip to Marseille in front of the media on Friday, ahead of Sunday 25 October’s 5.15pm kick-off on Ligue 1 matchday 8.
On Friday afternoon, in front of the media, according to the club’s official website, head coach Didier Digard and Tanzanian international striker Ally Samatta set out the plan for the Ciel et Marine’s trip to the Stade Vélodrome on Sunday 25 October at 5.15pm, on Ligue 1 matchday 8.
The doyen club are looking to pick up precious away points to secure their survival. Against an Olympique de Marseille side weakened by their European campaign, the Normans want to capitalise on Marseille’s fatigue after the Europa League.
Samatta, continental experience to the fore
At 33, Mbwana Ally Samatta brings his continental experience to the Le Havre attack, the club points out. Speaking to the press, the Tanzanian international stressed the sky-and-navy group’s determination to unsettle Marseille.
Le HAC have no intention of treating this trip as just another away day. The stated aim is that of a team intent on exploiting their opponent’s fragility, marked by their European campaign, to go and claim precious points away from home.
Digard stresses defensive rigour
Didier Digard’s message was just as clear. The Le Havre AC head coach stressed the defensive rigour required in a hostile environment, the club’s website reports. Faced with that hostility, and with survival in their sights, collective discipline must be constant.
The coach has to contend with a treatment room already carrying several long-term absentees, according to Transfermarkt.
Kick-off Sunday, 5.15pm
The match comes on Ligue 1 matchday 8, as Le HAC’s communications department recalled in its announcement: “Ahead of the match between Olympique de Marseille and Le HAC, Sunday at 5.15pm at the Cepac Vélodrome Océane (Ligue 1 McDonald’s matchday 8), relive the press conferences of head coach Didier Digard and Ally Samatta.”
The game is scheduled for Sunday 25 October at 5.15pm at the Cepac Vélodrome Océane. For the doyen club, this trip to a weakened OM is a chance to bring back something to feed their survival bid.